Stuart Walker Donaldson v The Information Commissioner

The Appellant applied by way of form GRC3 dated 30 November 2025, received by the Tribunal on 3 December 2025. The document provided in support of the application was in fact a Decision Notice issued to the Department of Work and Pensions by the Information Commissioner (“IC”) on 24 November 2025 in relation to case reference IC-373647-Z0K3.

On 9 January 2026, the IC wrote to the Tribunal noting that the form which should have been used to issue an appeal was form GRC1 and inviting the Tribunal to direct the Appellant to resubmit his appeal on this form.

The Tribunal requested the Appellant to submit a form GRC1 by email dated 25 February 2026. The Appellant replied that day and again the next day stating that he would complete the appropriate form. On 27 February 2026 he wrote an email to the Tribunal which stated “I expect to resubmit the appropriate GRC1 form in due course with additional supplementary information.”

On 3 March 2026, the Appellant said that he would resubmit the GRC1 form and copy it to the IC “in due course”.

I issued directions on 5 March 2026 requiring the Appellant to complete form GRC1 setting out his full grounds of appeal and explanation for the lateness of the appeal by no later than 20 March 2026.

On 25 March 2026, the Appellant wrote to the Tribunal stating that he was unwell and unable to comply, but did not provide medical evidence to support this.

On 2 April 2026, Registrar Bamawo struck the case out under Rule 8(1) for non-compliance with a direction.

I set aside the order striking out the case on 16 April 2026 and directing that the Applicant file by 8 May 2026 a completed form GRC1 setting out his full grounds of appeal and including reasons why the completed form was filed out of time. The reasons for my order noted at paragraphs 12 and 13 that in light of the fact that the Appellant has had several opportunities already to file his form GRC1, if he did not do so as directed the matter may again be struck out for non-compliance. I also stated that if the Appellant wishes to rely on medical grounds for any future extension of time for complying with directions, he must provide medical evidence to support this.

At paragraph 3 of the directions dated 16 April 2026, the Appellant was asked to note that failure to comply with the direction to file a completed form GRC1 could lead to the Tribunal striking out this appeal for failure to comply pursuant to Rule 8(3)(a). No response was received by the Tribunal by 8 May 2026.

The Appellant wrote to the Tribunal by email dated 17 May 2026 stating simply “I’ll require a statutory extension due to chronic mental health issues.” No medical evidence was provided to support this, although the Appellant had been put on notice that any further extension for medical reasons must be supported by medical evidence.

Accordingly, I find the Appellant has not complied with the directions dated 16 April 2026 and thus there are grounds to strike out the appeal.